Osteoporosis

I’m a 48-year-old woman and my mother was recently diagnosed with osteoporosis. Is there anything I can do to decrease my risk?

Osteoporosis is a significant loss of bone density which increases the risk of spine or hip fracture. About 15 percent of post-menopausal Caucasian women are affected. Most are without symptoms until a fracture occurs, which can be catastrophic. One in five women with hip fracture dies within a year of fracture; more than half won’t regain their mobility and independence.

Women accumulate bone mass until age 30 with a slow decline thereafter until menopause. After menopause, the rate of decline accelerates. Osteoporosis, therefore, depends not only on how fast you’re losing bone but also how much bone mass you started with. This is why calcium intake and exercise in younger women are so important in preventing osteoporosis later in life.

So what are risk factors for osteoporosis?

Caucasian or Asian race, being post-menopausal or having a first-degree relative with a hip or spine fracture are fixed risks. Modifiable risk factors include cigarette smoking, alcoholism, corticosteroid use, minimal exercise, inadequate calcium intake, and early menopause. What does this mean for women throughout their lifetimes? Women of all ages should avoid cigarettes, moderate their alcohol use, and regularly engage in weight-bearing exercise. Women ages 19-50 should get 1000 mg of calcium/day; after menopause, 1500 mg calcium plus 400-800 units of vitamin D per day. Calcium can be dietary (1 oz cheese, 8 ozs milk or yogurt or calcium-fortified orange juice, 1 cup broccoli all contain 300 mg of calcium) or supplemental. The cheapest calcium supplement is Tums (calcium carbonate). Each one contains 300 mg, should be taken with food, and no more than two should be taken with any meal–your body can only absorb a limited amount at any one time.

Who should be screened for osteoporosis?

The National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends screening in all women over the age of 65 and women under 65 who have risk factors or a fracture history. Testing includes ultrasound and DEXA scan–a non-invasive bone imaging study. Finally, who should be treated with medications? Women with osteoporosis identified on DEXA scan, or low bone density with other risk factors. Treatment medications include bisphosphonates (Fosamax, Actonel), selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs–Evista); and calcitonin. Estrogen is approved for prevention but not for treatment of osteoporosis.

Hip and spine fractures can be devastating in later life. Though screening and treatment are important, adequate calcium intake and exercise play a large role in prevention, even in young women. As always, you should discuss your particular situation with your healthcare provider.

One in three women in the United States can expect to have a hysterectomy by their 60th birthday. Find out how advanced laparoscopic surgical techniques have made the procedure quicker, less invasive, and easier to recover from than ever before.

Heart attacks aren't always the chest-clutching, drop-to-the-floor experience we see on TV — especially for women. Read on to learn why women need to take heart health seriously and how their heart attack signs may differ.

Are you experiencing the symptoms of endometriosis? Find out how it may impact your fertility and what you can do to get pregnant even if you have this condition. You have great options. Here’s what you need to know about endometriosis and fertility.

Do you have uterine fibroids? Their symptoms aren't always obvious. Learning how to recognize the most common symptoms is the first step toward ensuring you get the treatment you need. Here are five symptoms to watch out for.

Birth control pills may be the most commonly used type of birth control in the U.S., but IUDs can offer significant advantages over pills and other types of contraceptives. Find out more about the benefits of IUDs and whether one is right for you.

Are you having sweat-dripping hot flashes, but you’re not near menopause? You’re not sick or crazy — hot flashes and more can affect your life long before menopause. Here’s what you need to know about the impact of perimenopause.

Ask us

Feel free to email us regarding any scheduling or general questions!

Name

Email Address

Phone Number

Question or comments

I understand and agree that any information submitted will be forwarded to our office by email and not via a secure messaging system. This form should not be used to transmit private health information, and we disclaim all warranties with respect to the privacy and confidentiality of any information submitted through this form.